Urgent: Unexpected Azure Database Activation and Billing Concern

Question

Urgent: Unexpected Azure Database Activation and Billing Concern

Choppadandi Anil kumar 40

Dear Team,

I would like to raise a serious concern regarding unexpected activity in my Azure environment. Two of my databases were automatically turned on without my knowledge, and billing has been initiated for these resources.

Upon reviewing the activity logs, I confirmed that I had previously stopped. However, there is no record indicating that these databases were restarted. For your information, I am the only individual with access to this environment, which makes this situation particularly concerning.

I am now facing unexpected charges due to this issue and would like clarification on how this occurred and who will be responsible for covering these additional costs.

Additionally, I attempted to raise a support ticket, but I was prompted to pay $29 despite having a basic support plan. Furthermore, the contact number provided in the Microsoft Help Center appears to be invalid, leaving me unable to reach the technical support team.

I kindly request your immediate assistance in investigating this issue, waiving any incorrect charges, and providing a reliable way to contact support for further resolution.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. azure_db_activity_logs

azure_db_activity_logs2

Sincerely,

Anil Kumar

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Answer 1

TP 163.1K Volunteer Moderator

Hi Anil,

It is normal and expected for Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server to start automatically 7 days after it was Stopped.

Below is screenshot excerpt from documentation:

User's image

When stopping it via portal, it displays a message letting you know that it will automatically start in 7 days. Please see article below for more details:

Stop compute of a server

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/postgresql/configure-maintain/how-to-stop-server

Below is screenshot excerpt from above article, showing portal message after click Stop button:

User's image

Please click Accept Answer and upvote if the above was helpful.

Thanks.

-TP

Choppadandi Anil kumar 40 Reputation points

2026-07-27T17:47:09.7+00:00

Hi TP,

May I know why this policy introduced? Why does it applied to personal subscriptions as well?

Thanks,

Anil
Choppadandi Anil kumar 40 Reputation points

2026-07-27T17:47:38.1566667+00:00

What should I do to avoid this in the future?
TP 163.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-28T15:40:34.0666667+00:00

I believe it is automatically started to apply updates and perform maintenance, however, it's unclear from the documentation if the 7 day auto start is the same as called out in note (screenshot excerpt below):

What you could do is write Azure Automation runbook or similar that runs periodically and stops the instance if it is running.
Ganesh Chelluri 190 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-04T06:14:48.1533333+00:00

Hi @Choppadandi Anil kumar ,

TP's answer is correct the 7-day auto-start is expected behaviour, not an issue with your account. The portal shows that warning when you click Stop, and it applies to all Flexible Servers regardless of subscription type. It exists so stopped servers still get patches. A stopped server can also be briefly restarted for monthly maintenance and then returned to stopped state.

A platform-initiated start won't always appear as a user action in the activity log, which is why you couldn't find a record.

To avoid it: stop the server again manually every 7 days, or schedule an Azure Automation runbook to stop it if it's running. If you don't need the servers, deleting them is the only way to fully stop charges take a backup first.

For billing, raise it from the Azure portal under Help** + **support and pick Billing as the issue type. Billing support is free and doesn't need a paid plan.
Choppadandi Anil kumar 40 Reputation points

2026-08-04T09:48:56.5833333+00:00

Hi @TP and @Ganesh Chelluri ,

I disabled the high availability, still will it turn on every 7days? and if could guide me how can I raise a ticket from a free plan, I will really appreciate it.

BR,

Anil Kumar
Ganesh Chelluri 190 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-04T16:50:06.8733333+00:00
Hi @Choppadandi Anil kumar ,

High availability and the 7-day auto-start are unrelated. Disabling HA doesn't change it. The 7-day auto-start applies to the stopped state itself, so the server will still start again after 7 days. The portal shows this message when you stop it: "Server will be automatically started after 7 days if you do not perform a manual start operation."

Raising a ticket on a free plan: billing and subscription-management requests don't need a paid support plan.

Azure portal > Help + support > Create a support request

Issue type: Billing (or Subscription management)

Select the affected subscription

Describe the charges and the dates, then submit

Only technical issue types require a paid plan, which is why you saw the $29 prompt earlier that goes away once you pick Billing.

To keep costs down meanwhile: stop the server manually each time it restarts, or schedule an Azure Automation runbook to stop it if it's found running. If you no longer need the servers, deleting them is the only way to fully stop charges take a backup first, as backups are deleted with the server.
Ganesh Chelluri 190 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-06T02:42:32.1633333+00:00

Hi @Choppadandi Anil kumar ,

Just checking in to see if the information provided earlier was helpful. Please let us know if you need any additional details or assistance, and we’ll gladly continue supporting you.